“An unresolved argument resulted in all of this. The man turned up at the video store just after 19:30, probably with the intention of carrying on this dispute,” says O’Reilly.

The man then apparently took out a knife and forced it against the woman’s throat.People who witnessed the incident immediately notified the police and within minutes they arrived on the scene.

A hostage negotiator and the task force were also called in once the situation was assessed.

“The hostage negotiator tried his best to diffuse the tension, but despite being in there for a long time he was unable to,” she continues.

“The man then stabbed the woman in her head and then he cut his own wrists.”

It was around about this time when onlookers claimed they saw flashes and heard bangs.

It was believed that shots had been fired, but the police did not confirm this. However,two stun grenades were apparently used to disorientate the suspect.

Just after the suspect had slit his wrists, the task force swept down on the premises and both the man and the woman were rushed to Somerset Hospital after receiving immediate medical attention. “Everything was over just after 22:00,” says O’Reilly, confirming that the couple are on the road to recovery.

The man is facing charges of assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm.

O’Reilly adds that even though hostage situations are rare in Cape Town, there are always trained negotiators on hand to respond.

Most of them are police officers, so hostage negotiation isn’t their only responsibility.

Domestic disputes and abuse within families are rife, however.

O’Reilly emphasises that there are many avenues a person who feels threatened by his/her partner can take.

“We have organisations such as the Community Intervention Centre and Families South Africa (Famsa) who can help people to resolve domestic disputes. One can also get a protection order, so there are structures in place to help someone.

“People don’t need to suffer through abuse alone,” she emphasised.

The identity of the couple is being withheld until the man has appeared in court.

***DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN TYGERBURGER, A CAPE TOWN BASED MEDIA24 COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER. IT MAY NOT BE DUPLICATED WITHOUT ACCREDITING THE SOURCE – TYGERBURGER, MEDIA24.***